I have had lower back pain since 2002, I have had 2 surgery's a lamennectomy and a implanted spinal cord stimulator. I am seeing a pain management doctor. I am currently taking a lot of pain medicine, including 60mg of morphine per day and muscle relaxers. I have deformities to L-4, L-5 & S-1. I have pain in my lower back, groin and down right leg. What I have noticed recently is that my right leg gives out and I fall alot. Is anyone having problems with falls, if so is it something that will stop in the future or can I expect a long term problem. I would like to hear any sugestions you may have or comments. I am new to this site and think it is great place to hear from people in pain. I have had problems talking to family and friends about my pain they don't seem to understand my problems. I am currently having a bad time not being able to do the job I like to do. I was an over the road truck driver, I used to go from Pa. where I live to Ca. I miss it alot. I would also like to hear how you have addressed not working and what do you do with your days. I have problems sleeping as well.

You are definitley not alone...and among friends here. We have all had our own type of pain issues, I have had 2 surgeries on my lower back, and have had problems with my back giving out and having to hold on to something so I won't just fold over...I was just on Morphine, started out at 120mg a day, went up to 240 and finally had to go back to Methadone...It didn't work for me. I take 120 mg. Methadone a day and up to 4 of the Oxycodone 15 mg. a day for BT Pain. I'm not sure why you are falling, but you should call your Dr. immediatley. It could be something as simple as muscle spasms...or it could be neurological...So, find out..

Good Luck, Welcome to our family, and I hope to see you here often...But not in pain

Me.

We are all in the same boat...unfortunatley it seems like it's sinking...

I had to give up my job I loved 6 yrs ago, it was devastating to say the least. I had triple cervical fusion kept working after the surgery and did damage to the low spine as well. There is nerve damage in both legs and I fall frequently....my family jokes and says if theres a thread or stone I'll find it! Not really funny but you have to maintain a sense of humor when you live with CP etc. I never know when it will happen but do usually feel either of the legs gave out. I have had many tests done, MRI's, EMG's and consults with Neurologists and Neurosurgeons. They found disc bulges but nothing to account for the severity of the numbness/nerve damage. They all say that when the initial ruptures occured in the neck that the spinal cord was injured and symptoms sometimes don't surface for years. So, I am left with numbness that no real diagnosis can explain which happens in some cases! Please get testing done ASAP, I agree with what Me says!!!

You ask what we do with our days.....there are days I can't move, there are days that the pain is so unbearable that time seems like it stands still. I have learned a new respect for my body, I've learned how to manage the pain with meds, exercise and most important I maintain a positive outlook (which is hard on alot of days) and am always grateful for everything good that I do have. Finally, after many years my family has arrived at a place of respect for what I deal with everyday. It was frustrating for them because they can't fix me. Now that they understand its not their job to fix me, to just be there when I need their support, it has helped!

Somehow after years of living in CP, you live your life the best that you can depending on your personal situation. I also read the posts on this site most everyday, there is support, love and friendship here and a family bond that keeps me going especially on days when I think I can't make it! I live my life the best way I can and that fills my days!!

Welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place for support and I think you will find that this place does have people that do understand what you are going through! People here don't sympathize they actually Empathize with you, and there is a world of difference between the two! It is to bad that you have to come here at all, but with that said, again I welcome You!

Have you asked your Doctor about your leg giving out on you? Has you Doctor discussed with you any thing about nerve damage that you might have? This is definitely a problem that you need to talk with your Doctors about!

It is rough having to give-up a job, especially one that you love! I had to do just that! I had retired from the USAF and I had started a new promising career that "I" choose and one that had very deep meaning, and significance to me! I really hadn't even worked in my new choosen field very many years and I did have to give it all up! It was a very difficult and painful decision, but it was necessary! Life does go on though! But ones life is definitely different, and it will never be the same as it was! If you find yourself in this position, at least know that you are not alone! There are many of us here that went before you, so we do have at least some understanding of what you are experiencing!

We can't give you any professional medical advice here ( we are not doctors) but we can give you good solid compassionate support! I think over time you might even consider the folks here at this forum part of an extended family of sorts!

I do wish you well! Good Luck to You!

White Beard

I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!)Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Legs giving out from under you is not a good thing. It is probably coming from your back issues, but please know it is also a sign of mini strokes called TIA's. You want your doctor to check you out asap, ok?? We don't want anything happening to you.

I welcome you to our forum and I am glad you are here. This forum is growing leaps and bounds and I am so happy about that. Please continue to post and let us get to know you and you get to know us. We all can benefit!!

God bless.

LindalooModerator Chronic Pain

Believe in yourself. Be kind to fellow humans and animals. Take time to smell the flowers and the coffee.

And by all means, when you are down, ask me for help. I will be there.

Hi, Newandpainful,I just want to add my welcome to everyone else's. It's sad you have to be here, but you've already been given some excellent suggestions so there's not a lot for me to add.

There are sensory nerves (which give us sensations, like hot and cold, etc.) and motor nerves, which help our muscles function. They work together. Sometimes there can be a problem with one and not the other. Your leg giving out might be motor nerves, but I'm not a doctor. Since you drove a truck I can see that it might have affected your right leg more.

Yes, many of us here have had to give up work we love, are in the process of that struggle (that's where I am!), but many are also still working - often with a lot of chronic pain and affects from medications. It's a tough road, but having found this site has been one of the main things that helps keep me going.